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Uses of 二 (èr)

二 (èr) Is for Numbers

The digit "2" is 二 (èr). This is used generally in numbers, when counting to ten, giving out a phone number, and so on.

Unlike 两 (liǎng), 二 (èr) is not used to say there are "two" of something, and does not generally occur with measure words by itself. Numbers like 十二 (12) (shí'èr) and 二十二 (22) (èrshí-èr) end with a "2" and can still be combined with measure words. In those cases, 两 (liǎng) is not needed.

Examples

Here are some common examples of 二 (èr) in action:

第 二dì-èr#2; second

第 二 个 dì-èr gèthe second one

第 二 次 dì-èr cìthe second time

二月 ÈryuèFebruary (the second month)

二 号 èr hào#2; the second (of the month)

二 号 线 èr hào xiànLine 2 (of the metro)

二 楼 èr lóusecond floor

十二shí'èr12

二十 èrshí20

十二 块 钱 shí'èr kuài qián12 RMB

二 十 块 钱 èrshí kuài qián20 RMB

二 十 二 个 人 èrshí-èr gè réntwenty-two people

Uses of 两 (liǎng)

两 (liǎng) Is for Measure Words

When specifying quantities (and using measure words to do it), 两 (liǎng) is used. This is when you want to say "two of something" or "both."